Apparatus for preventing size accumulation on size box rolls



Aug. 22, 1961 T. F. susss 2,996,785

APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING SIZE ACCUMULATION ON SIZE BOX ROLLS Filed Jan.6, 1959 5i? I 51 1 3,4, 0 \1 I [all I 10 15 INVENTOR. 720/722; 1 7Sigjs,

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United States Patent 2,996,785 APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING SIZE ACCUMU-LATION 0N SIZE BOX ROLLS Thomas F. Suggs, Gastonia, N.C., assignor toCorker Machine & Foundry Company, Gastonia, N.C., a corporation of NorthCarolina Filed Jan. 6,1959, Ser. No. 785,192 Claims. (CI. 28-28) Thisinvention relates to size boxes for applying size to textile materials,and more particularly to size boxes having reservoirs containing heatedliquid size, into which yarn, fabric or any other solid sheet materialis immersed, in order to impregnate the sheet with the liquid. Morespecifically, this invention relates to slashers in which a sheet of aplurality of parallel ends of yarn is treated with a heated liquid suchas size or the like, in order to impart strength to the yarn.

Conventionally, size boxes operate with one or more rolls in a submergedor partially submerged condition, and as the roll rotates, size ispicked up and lifted on the surface of the roll. Concurrently, size issqueezed out of the material and, in continued operation, some of thesize tends to flow down along the end of the size box roll, ultimatelyreaching a position (such as the end of the roll, for example) where thetemperature is considerably lower than the temperature at which theliquid size congeals. As further size is continuously squeezed out ofthe yarn, it is forced to flow over the ends of the roll, and congealedor solidified size gradually accumulates. When the accumulation becomessufiiciently large the centrifugal force created by the speed of theroll throws the solid, congealed size off the roll. This is a source oftrouble and annoyance.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an apparatuswhich overcomes the foregoing disadvantages. Still another object ofthis invention is to provide a novel means for eliminating theaccumulation of solid size on the ends of the rolls of the size box.

A more specific object of this invention is to counteract the eifect ofthe size or starch that is squeezed ofi the yarn or cloth in the courseof operation of the size box, eliminating the congealing of size on theendsof the roll, with reliability and economy.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus foreliminating the congealing effect just referred to, which apparatusoperates selectively in accordance with the speed of operation of thesize box, in order to provide efficient and economical operation at avariety of speeds.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter just indicated, which includes an automatic means fordisconnecting the anti-congealing apparatus when the size box isstopped.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will further becomeapparent hereinafter and in the drawings whereof:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a specific form of apparatus constructed inaccordance with this invention, with the shafts of the nip rolls removedin order to illustrate the steam jets more clearly,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with certain ofthe parts shown in section, and also including a diagrammatic disclosureof the driving and controlling means for the size box and for theapparatus which eliminates congealing of size, and

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken as indicated by the lines andarrows 'III, III which appear in FIG. 2.

The following description is directed to the specific form of theinvention as illustrated in the drawings, and is not intended to limitthe scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Turning now to the specific form of the invention selected forillustration in the drawings, the number 10 designates a size boxcontaining size liquid L having an upper surface S. The size box isprovided with a heating jacket 11 fitted with steam connections 12 formaintaining the starch or size in a liquid condition. The size box 10 isalso provided with a plurality of boil pipes 13 which contain steam andwhich may be perforated in order to introduce steam in controlled anddistributed quantities into the size.

Fixed upon shafts and supported for rotation thereon are a feed roll 20,an immersion roll 21, upper and lower quetsch rolls 22, 23, and anotherpair of upper and lower quetsch rolls 24, 25. As appears in FIG. 2, theyarn Y passes over the roll 20 and under the immersion roll 21, whichextends beneath the surface S of the liquid size L. The yarn then movesupwardly through the nip between the quetsch rolls 22, 23, and thenmoves generally horizontally through the nip between the quetsch rolls24, 25.

Pipe 30 has branches 31 at each side of the size box, beyond the ends ofthe quetsch rolls 22, 23. Each branch 31 terminates in a nozzle 32constructed and arranged to direct a spray of steam against the endsurface of each quetsch roll 22, 23. Similarly, the pipe 30 has otherbranches 33, each of which terminates in a nozzle 34 arranged fordirecting a spray of steam against the corresponding end surfaces of thequetsch rolls 24, 25.

The steam pipe 30 is provided with a solenoid valve 40, and a reducingvalve 41, while the branches 31 are provided with throttling valves 42.All such valves control the flow of steam to the end walls of quetschrolls 22, 23. Similarly, the branches 33 are provided with throttlingvalves 43, through which steam flows from the pipe 30. a

The pipe 30 is also provided with a by-pass 50 having a solenoid valve51 and a controlling valve 52. Both solenoids 40 and 51 are connectedelectrically to the apparatus which operates the size box, as willfurther appear.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the number 60 designates a slashermotor which is operated by an electric rheostat 61 connected by lines 62and 63 to a source of electric current. Rheostat 61 has a contact arm61a and has a terminal 64 representing an off position, a terminal 65representing crawl speed, and a terminal 66 representing full runningspeed. The numbers 70, 71 and 72 represent electrically conducted stripswhich are in contact with the arm 61a. The terminal 65 is connectedelectrically through the solenoid 51, the terminal 66 is connectedelectrically through the solenoid 40, and the terminal 64 is free of anyconnection to either of such solenoids. I

In operation, the size liquid is brought to a proper temperature and theslasher is started by swinging the arm 61a into contact with the contactpoint '65, thereby throwing the slasher motor 60 into crawl speed.Concurrently, electric current passes through the arm 61a to thesolenoid 51, thereby opening the solenoid and permitting a limited flowof steam to flow through the by-pass 50 and through the nozzles 32 and34. When the arm 61a is turned in a clockwise direction, it ultimatelymakes contact with both strips 70, 72 and this energizes the solenoidvalve 40, opening it, While the solenoid valve 51 remains open. Steamflows through the main pipe 30 at a much greater rate of speed thanthrough the by-pass 50, the valves 41, 52 being so adjusted.Accordingly, the flow of steam through the nozzles 32, 34 is increased.As the arm 61a moves further clockwise, toward and to the terminals 66,the arm 61a becomes disconnected from the strip 70, thereby permittingthe solenoid valve 51 to close,

and the flow of steam is that which is obtained through the main pipe30* and solenoid valve 40.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that means are provided for varyingthe flow of steam from the nozzles 32, 34 automatically in relation tothe rate of speed of operation of the slasher or of the size box. Itwill be appreciated that the slasher motor 60 may instead be a motorconnected to drive the rolls in the size box, and that theinterconnection between the speed of operation of the size box and therate of flow of steam may readily be accomplished in a wide variety ofways.

The automatic controlling apparatus just described is important andadvantageous since the steam is reduced in quantity when the slasher isreduced in speed, and is shut off entirely when the slasher is stopped.

Although the steam nozzles may be located in a variety of positions, itis preferred to direct the steam against the ends of the rolls, in sucha manner to obtain a heating effect on a substantial surface area of theend of the roll. The specific location shown in the drawings is furtheradvantageous because the steam impinges upon the end of the roll at thelocation where the size is being squeezed out of the yarn.

Although this invention has been disclosed with reference to a specificform thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications may bemade without departing from the scope of this invention. For example,various combinations and arrangements of rolls may be substituted,equivalents may be utilized, parts may be reversed, and certain featuresmay be used independently of other features, all without departing fromhte scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a slasher apparatus having a size box containing liquid size and aplurality of rotatable rolls arranged in contact with one another, atleast one of which is in contact with the liquid, one of said rollshaving a surface portion which is in an exposed position and is locatedabove the surface of said liquid size, the combination which comprisesdrive means for said slasher, means for drawing a sheet of textilematerial under the surface of said size and through the nip of saidrolls, means for applying pressurized steam to an exposed surfaceportion of one of said rolls at a location above the surface of saidliquid size, preventing solidification and accumulation of solid size onsaid surface of said roll, and control means connected to said drivemeans and to the steam applying means for shutting off said steam inresponse to a stopping of said drive means.

2. In a slasher apparatus having a size box for applying a liquid to anelongated solid material, said size box having a reservoir containingliquid size and having a plurality of rotatable rolls arranged incontact with one another, at least one of which is in contact with theelongated solid material, one of said rolls having a surface portionwhich is in an exposed position and is located above the surface of saidliquid size, the combination which comprises drive means for saidapparatus, means for drawing said elongated solid material under thesurface of said size and on one of said rolls, means for applyingpressurized hot vapor to an exposed surface portion of one of said rollsat a location above the surface of said liquid size, thereby preventingsolidification and accumulation of solid size on said surface of saidroll, speed control means connected to operate said size box roll atdifferent speeds, vapor rate control means connected to regulate theflow of said hot vapor at different rates, and connecting means betweensaid speed control means and said hot vapor rate control means toproduce a change of flow of hot vapor in response to a change of speedof said apparatus.

3. In a slasher apparatus having a size box conntaining liquid size andhaving a plurality of rotatable rolls arranged in contact with oneanother, at least one of which is in contact with the liquid, thecombination which comprises means for drawing yarn under the surface ofsaid size and through the nip of said rolls, means for applying steam tothe nip of said rolls, said means including a main pipe, a by-pass pipeand valve means for opening and closing said pipes, speed control meansconnected to control the speed of operation of said apparatus, and meansconnecting said speed control means to said valve means for switchingfrom one of said pipes to the other in response to a change of saidspeed.

4. In a size box containing liquid size and having a rotatable rollwhich includes a surface portion located in an exposed position abovethe surface of said liquid size, the combination which comprises meansfor drawing sized textile material along the surface of said roll andmeans for applying a hot vapor to an exposed surface portion of saidroll at a location above the surface of said liquid size, said meansincluding a pair of nozzles arranged adjacent the periphery of saidroll, located at opposite ends thereof, and directed toward each other.

5. In a size box having a reservoir containing liquid size and having aplurality of rotatable rolls arranged in contact with one another, atleast one of which is in contact with the liquid, one of said rollshaving a surface portion which is in an exposed position and is locatedabove the surface of said liquid size, the combination which comprisesmeans for drawing yarn under the surface of said size and through thenip of said rolls, and means for impinging hot vapor on the end surfacesof both of said rolls in the area of their nip, said vapor impingingmeans including a pair of nozzles arranged adjacent the peripheries ofsaid rolls and at the opposite ends thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS128,395 Higgins June 25, 1872 646,787 Aykroyd Apr. 3, 1900 1,948,646Bruenn Feb. 27, 1934 2,795,839 Seawell June 18, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS19,256 Great Britain 1897

